Luke 2:8-10
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Notice the following:
“Do not be afraid,” detailed yesterday.

“I bring you good news.” The good news is the “evangel,” the gospel. The verb to bring good news was used first in the general sense of bringing good news of any kind, it would be used particularly to indicate the bringing of the good news of salvation through Christ.

“Of great joy.” What greater joy could there be than the realization and acceptance of the truth God himself, through the sacrifice of His own Son, brought about the solution to the world’s greatest problem; sin? The Son’s incarnation is the first step in this solution?

“For all the people,” all regardless of nationality, age, wealth, fame, social position, sex, education, etc. Even the outliers of society, like the shepherds are included; all people are included. The promise of salvation by grace through faith must be proclaimed throughout the world.

“Because to you is born this day in the town of David” In the original the word born stands very close to the beginning of the sentence. Literally it reads “because born to you this day.” As if to say, “long ago promised, promised, promised . . . now finally born: the promise has been fulfilled.”

“A Savior who is Christ the Lord” In order to place all the emphasis on the saving work of Jesus, the article is omitted in Greek; as if to say: above everything else He is SAVIOR.

This Savior is introduced as the Christ, the Messiah or Anointed One. He is the One anointed by the Holy Spirit to be His people’s Great Prophet, Sympathetic High Priest, and Eternal King.

“And this will be the sign for you.” The angel did not tell the shepherds they must go and see this child, no more than Gabriel had told Mary she must visit Elizabeth (1:36). A hint was enough in both cases.

Notice the one sign is this child is lying in a manger. There may well have been other newly born, babies in Bethlehem, but this was the only infant lying in a manger.

I wonder if they found Jesus in the very first place they looked.

Did they come with a GPS or did you have to search?

May 12, 2017

Good Morning,

Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

It all happened with dramatic swiftness. One moment, except for the sounds always heard during the night, especially when shepherds are by turns watching their sheep, all was quiet. Then all of a sudden it happened: an angel of the Lord, holy, strong, brilliant, stood by them. They had not seen him arrive.

At the same time the glory of the Lord; heavenly brightness flashed all around them. It is not surprising the shepherds were “terrified.” They were good men; nevertheless, they were sinners, and what they now experienced had come upon them unexpectedly.

They recognized this was a supernatural being because of the dazzling light, “the glory of the Lord” which was shining all around them. The stunning display of God’s glory and the appearance of the angel naturally terrified these shepherds.

At the very hour of Jesus’ birth, the good news was already being spread supernaturally by an angel. This good news would bring great joy, for it comprised everything for which the Jews had been hoping and waiting; the Savior had come. The “all people” to whom this news came was first the people of Israel. While the “good tidings” would one day bring great joy to people of every land across the globe, it came first of all to God’s covenant people.

Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.

He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes-He offers us new hearts that will last for eternity.

Just as You Are The greatest event in history had just occurred! The Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened the announcement came to shepherds.

The good news about Jesus is He comes to all types of people, including the plain, the ordinary, and the outcasts of society.

He comes to anyone with a heart open enough to accept Him.

Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.

Don’t think you need extraordinary qualifications-Jesus accepts you as you are.

May 20, 2017

Good Morning,

Luke 2:8-9 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

From the manger Luke moved to the fields nearby, outside the village. It was night. Shepherds were there keeping watch over their flocks.

Among professions shepherding had a lowly place. They were outcasts, not welcome in the city and not trusted by the general public; often they were thieves. They were a despised class. It was difficult for them, because of the nature of their job, to observe the regulations of the Mosaic Law and especially all the man-made rules superimposed upon the law! For these reasons they were looked down upon and were excluded from giving testimony in the courts.

Luke tells this story about the shepherds for a reason. Jesus came not to the proud and powerful, but to the outcasts, the humble, those considered “last” on the social lists. To these men God brought the first news of His Son’s arrival.

During His public ministry Jesus quoted the following words from Isa. 61:1-2, “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.”

These words are in harmony with proclamation of the fact the Messiah had who been born was given first to poor and frightened shepherds.

Luke’s narrative makes clear these shepherds were different. They were devout men, probably acquainted with Messianic prophecy and, like Simeon, “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (2:25).

What is the most unique birth announcement you’ve ever seen? I

f you had been with the shepherds on the night Christ was born, what would you have done after the angels left?

May 10, 2017

Good Morning,

Luke 2:8-13 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

The angel Gabriel had announced the coming births of John and Jesus (1:5-20, 26-38); here a host of angels announced the “good news” of Jesus’ birth and broke out into praise. The angels called the baby Jesus the promised Messiah; the Savior. This type of announcement was a typical proclamation of the birth of a child to the royal family. Augustus had been called a “savior” at his birth. But the announcement of Augustus’ birth would have been first delivered to the members of the Roman Senate.

The privilege of hearing about Jesus’ birth first was given to ordinary shepherds. The angels also gave the shepherds a sign. They would find their Savior in “a manger” a sign of not only Jesus’ identity but also His simple circumstances.

By highlighting the ordinary character of Jesus’ birth, Luke set the stage for the bulk of his narrative: a story describing how Jesus gathered twelve common Israelite men to help Him minister to the ordinary people of Israel.

God still breaks into “ordinary” lives, even ours. Follow His instructions, praising Him for using you to accomplish His will.
This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for sinners, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him.

Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger or is He your Lord?

Luke 2:4-5 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Certainly Joseph would not have chosen to travel either with or without his pregnant wife just as she was ready to deliver, but he had no choice. Rome was far too powerful for anyone to resist. Most Jews hated taking part in a census because they viewed it as sacrilegious. God alone was to number His people. Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the city of David called Bethlehem, a journey of about 70 miles. In the Old Testament, the “city of David” generally referred to Jerusalem, but Bethlehem was where David grew up.

Remember God controls all history. By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the town predicted for His birth (Micah 5:2), even though His parents did not live there.

Luke does not explain why Mary made this trip. Obviously Joseph did not want to leave Mary alone. She undoubtedly had by now faced painful gossip because of her pregnancy and she preferred to stay with Joseph. It is possible they both saw God working and traveled to Bethlehem where the promised child was to be born as prophesied in Micah 5:2.

At this point, Joseph and Mary were engaged. The two were living together, but they abstained from sexual relations. Matthew 1:24-25 explains an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream about Mary’s condition: “When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.”

Out of your comfort zone

The government forced Joseph to make a long trip just to pay his taxes.

His fiancé, who went with him, was going to have a baby any moment.

Doing God’s will often takes people out of their comfort zones.

But they are promised everything, even their discomfort, has meaning in God’s plan.

Luke 2:1-3
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Luke is the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history. His account was addressed to a mainly Greek audience who would have been interested in and familiar with the political situation. The Romans ruled Palestine; Emperor Caesar Augustus, the first Roman of the emperors. He was a good administrator and was demanding about the financial accounting of his empire.

The Roman rulers who were considered gods, contrasted greatly with the baby in a manger who really was God in the flesh. A Roman census (registration) was taken to aid military recruitment or tax collection. The Jews didn’t have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes. Augustus’ decree went out in God’s timing and according to God’s plan to bring His Son into the world. No one had a choice about participating in the census.

Who’s in Charge?
The Romans ruled the civilized world at this time.

By contrast, Joseph controlled very little.

He obeyed the Roman order and traveled with Mary to Bethlehem.

Often we feel like Joseph, caught by forces larger than we are. The Romans were in control insofar as human authority can get its way by exerting human power. But the Romans did not know nor recognize who was really in control.

In reality, God controls the world. In all times and places, He works His will.

God did not soften Joseph’s bumpy road, but strengthened him.

Like Joseph, live each day by faith, trusting that God is in charge.

GETTING INVOLVED

1 JOHN 3:17-18
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. “

One aspect of the tragedy of The Titanic that wasn’t emphasized in the film is the fact that when the ship struck the iceberg, an ocean liner named the Californian was less than 10 miles away, and could have provided almost immediate rescue assistance. The Titanic sent distress signals via wireless radio, but the Californian’s operator had already gone to bed; the signals weren’t heard.

The Titanic also launched emergency flares. Crew members of the Californian observed the fireworks in the distance and suspected something was wrong, but when they notified their captain he shrugged them off. He didn’t even bother to wake up the wireless operator to look further into the matter. Instead, the captain and crew of the Californian decided to do nothing. They missed the opportunity to avert the greatest disaster at sea in history.

There are distress signals being sent all around us, and sometimes we ignore them as well: a daughter who doesn’t eat; a son whose speech is suspiciously slurred; a friend who withdraws from our fellowship as he or she struggles with marital problems.

Off in the distance we may HEAR their cries for help, but all too often we fail to LISTEN.

Following Jesus means getting involved in the lives of others. Listen as John challenges us in the New Living Translation. But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help– how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.

The captain and crew of the Californian could have argued they had the sense to stop for the night rather than sail full speed into dangerous waters. They could have argued that the Titanic’s leadership was responsible for this disaster, and could have even preached a hard-hitting sermon on the sin of arrogance. Technically, they would have been right. But it doesn’t change the fact they were the only hope of rescue for hundreds of people–and they chose not to listen.

This week, dare to love. Dare to listen. Dare to get involved.

To whom do you need to listen this week?

Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Practical Lessons Derived from Luke 2:1–7

Verses 1, 2

“A decree was issued by Caesar Augustus.” When the emperor sent out this order, little did he realize God was using this decree for the realization of His own purpose with respect to the world. What a comforting passage is Rom. 8:28! Cf. Eph. 1:11.

Verses 4, 5

“So … Joseph too went up … to be registered with Mary.” The One who was going to say, “What is due to Caesar render to Caesar, and what is due to God render to God” had not yet come into the world from Mary’s womb, yet was already being obeyed. Joseph and Mary never thought of refusing to obey the emperor in a matter not contrary to the will of God.

Verse 7

“There was no room for them in the inn.” This was not because the innkeeper was cruel or inhospitable, but because the inn was already overcrowded. So, also, there are hearts which never welcome Jesus; not because they hate Him but simply because these hearts are already so overcrowded with thoughts of riches, honor, prestige, pleasures, business affairs, etc., they have no room for Jesus, no time to reflect on His will, no desire to go out of their way to do His pleasure.

 In this connection see the beautiful hymn by Emily E. S. Elliott, “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne,” ending with the stirring chorus,

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!

There is room in my heart for thee.

Is there room in your heart for Jesus?

 How can we be sure He does not get crowded out of our lives?

 Are there some specific steps you can take each day to make more time for Jesus?